Mitchell scores 43 as Cavs beat Lakers

CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 43 points and ex-longhorn Jarrett Allen returned from injury to add 24, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 116-102 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Lakers in Lebron James' only visit of the season.

With Anthony Davis missing the final three quarters because of illness, the Cavs improved to an Nba-leading 11-1 on their floor, their best start at home since 2015-16, when James led them a championship.

Mitchell, who has Cleveland fans dreaming of another title run, took over in the second half and scored 29 points with the kind of performance James offered routinely in 11 seasons for the Cavs.

Darius Garland added 21 points and 11 assists for Cleveland.

James finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds, losing for just the third time in 20 games against the Cavs.

MAVERICKS 116, NUGGETS 115

Dorian Finney-smith hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 17.3 seconds remaining as Dallas rallied after squandering a late lead to win in Denver.

Nikola Jokic had a chance to tie the game with 12 seconds remaining, but missed the first of two free throws. Spencer Dinwiddie hit both free throws to help seal the win for the Mavericks.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored a season-high 29 points and Luka Doncic recorded his 52nd career triple-double with 22 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

PISTONS 116, HEAT 96

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 28 of his 31 points in the second half as Detroit ran away in the final two quarters to pull off the upset in Miami.

It was Detroit's biggest margin of victory this season.

The Pistons had won only one game by more than seven points, a 128114 triumph over Golden State on Oct. 30.

Tyler Herro led all scorers with a season high-tying 34 points for Miami, which has dropped three of its past four games.